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O-LevelLiterature in EnglishDramaMay/June 2014Paper 1 Q425 Marks

Read this extract, and then answer the question that follows it: Cassius: Why, now, blow wind, swell billow, and swim bark! The storm is up, and all is on the hazard. Brutus: Ho, Lucilius! hark, a word with you. Lucilius: My lord. [Brutus and Lucilius converse apart. 5 Cassius: Messala. Messala: What says my general? Cassius: Messala, This is my birth-day; as this very day Was Cassius born. Give me thy hand Messala, Be thou my witness that against my will, As Pompey was, am I compell'd to set Upon one battle all our liberties. 10 You know that I held Epicurus strong, And his opinion; now I change my mind, And partly credit things that do presage. 15 Coming from Sardis, on our former ensign Two mighty eagles fell; and there they perch'd, Gorging and feeding from our soldiers' hands, Who to Philippi here consorted us. 20 This morning are they fled away and gone, And in their steads do ravens, crows, and kites, Fly o'er our heads and downward look on us As we were sickly prey. Their shadows seem A canopy most fatal, under which 25 Our army lies, ready to give up the ghost. Messala: Believe not so. Cassius: I but believe it partly; For I am fresh of spirit and resolv'd To meet all perils very constantly. 30 Brutus: Even so, Lucilius. Cassius: Now, most noble Brutus, The gods to-day stand friendly, that we may, Lovers in peace, lead on our days to age! But, since the affairs of men rest still in-certain, 35 Let's reason with the worst that may befall. If we do lose this battle, then is this The very last time we shall speak together. What are you then determined to do? Brutus: Even by the rule of that philosophy 40 By which I did blame Cato for the death Which he did give himself – I know not how, But I do find it cowardly and vile, For fear of what might fall, so to prevent The time of life – arming myself with patience To stay the providence of some high powers 45 That govern us below. Cassius: Then, if we lose this battle, Brutus: You are contented to be led in triumph Thorough the streets of Rome? No, Cassius, no. Think not, thou noble Roman, That ever Brutus will go bound to Rome; He bears too great a mind. But this same day Must end that work the ides of March begun, And whether we shall meet again I know not. Therefore our everlasting farewell take: For ever and for ever farewell, Cassius! If we do meet again, why, we shall smile; If not, why then this parting was well made. Cassius: For ever and for ever farewell, Brutus! If we do meet again, we'll smile indeed; If not, 'tis true this parting was well made. Brutus: Why then, lead on. O that a man might know The end of this day's business ere it come! But it sufficeth that the day will end, And then the end is known. Come, ho! away! [Exeunt. [from Act 5 Scene 1] How does Shakespeare create sympathy for Cassius at this moment in the play?

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About This O-Level Literature in English Question

This structured question appeared in the Cambridge O-Level Literature in English (2010) May/June 2014 examination, Paper 1 Variant 1. It tests the topic of Drama and is worth 25 marks.

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